UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, designates world heritage sites that are international cultural and natural treasures. Since the Northwest US is so rich in unique and magnificent landscapes, it's no wonder that it is home to four different official World Heritage Sites. Yellowstone National Park is cherished for its geothermal features and wildlife. Olympic National Park is home to diverse ecosystems, including lush temperate rainforests with world-record-sized trees. A network of Alaska parks and preserves makes the World Heritage site list, including mystical Glacier Bay National Park. The Waterton Glacier International Peace Park encompasses Montana's Glacier National Park, where you can view jagged peaks and snow-covered glaciers. If you want to learn more about the World Heritage Sites designation and the 890 sites that have made the list, check out A Look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, put together by About.com's own Guide to Italy Travel.

The Davenport Hotel and Tower in Spokane is much more than a place to spend the night. It is the hub of a community, a place where people meet, celebrate, and make memories. The Northwest almost lost this treasure to age and neglect; fortunately, the hotel was purchased and renovated by the Worthys, a local family. The beautifully-restored hotel reopened to the public in 2002. Since then, The Davenport Hotel has received glowing recognition from such hospitality authorities as Conde Nast and Hotel Elite magazine. Louis Davenport asserted "We hope to so well please our guests that they will be glad they came, sorry to leave, and eager to return." Words that have become a mission for The Davenport Hotel. I recently enjoyed a couple nights at The Davenport and can honestly claim I was quite sad to leave!

Huckleberries probably make my top ten list of reasons why life is great in the Northwest. These tart-sweet wild berries are at their peak in August. Several communities find this reason to celebrate with an annual huckleberry festival. Here are some that will be taking place in 2009:

• Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival - Trout Creek, MT - August 14-16
• Huckleberry Days Festival - Whitefish, MT - August 7-9
• Huckleberry Heritage Festival - Wallace, ID - August 14-15
• Mt. Hood Huckleberry Festival - Mt. Hood, OR - August 21-23
• Bingen Huckleberry Festival - Bingen, WA - September 11-13

The Whitman Mission in Walla Walla was the site of one of the region's pivotal historic events -- the Whitman Massacre. If you're like me, the Whitman Mission National Historic Site has long been on your list of places to visit, yet you somehow never quite make it. Well, I finally made it, and can definitely say it's worth the trip for anyone interested in Northwest history. I took quite a few pictures while I was there, so if you can't make it in person, you can at least enjoy this virtual visit to Whitman Mission National Historic Site.